Walking Tour of Duncan Totem Poles

The Chief’s Pole is one of a group of three poles (with The Guardians and Dzunuk’wa) displayed at the intersection of Government Street and Kenneth Street.

The Chief’s Pole was carved in 1986 by Francis Horne, Sr. and stands 4.7m (15’6″) in height.

Chief's Pole, Government Street at Kenneth Street, Duncan, B.C.
Chief’s Pole, Government Street at Kenneth Street, Duncan, B.C. (Dzunuk’wa and Guardians poles in background)

The Chief’s Pole consists of three primary figures: the Human Child (top), the Killer Whale (middle) and the Chief holding a Copper (bottom).

Carver Francis Horne Sr. explains the meaning of the Chief’s Pole as:

“On top of the pole is a Human Child. The Killer Whale (middle figure) represents the Quw’utsun’ story of the Killer Whale that was in Cowichan Bay eating all the Salmon. The pole story shows how the  Quw’utsun’ people were able to restore peace back to the people, and the the people and the Killer Whale can live together in peace. The Child is kneeling, waiting with anticipation for the Salmon. The Copper held by the Chief is to show wealth in the human spirit, not material wealth…”

Chief's Pole, Government Street at Kenneth Street, Duncan, B.C.
Chief’s Pole, Government Street at Kenneth Street, Duncan, B.C.
Chief's Pole, Human Child figure, Government Street at Kenneth Street, Duncan, B.C.
Chief’s Pole, Human Child figure, Government Street at Kenneth Street, Duncan, B.C.

Carver Francis Horne Sr. explains the meaning of the Human Child figure as:

“On top of the pole is a Human Child……The Child is kneeling, waiting with anticipation for the Salmon…….”

Chief's Pole, Human Child figure, Government Street at Kenneth Street, Duncan, B.C.
Chief’s Pole, Human Child figure, Government Street at Kenneth Street, Duncan, B.C.
Chief's Pole, Killer Whale figure, Government Street at Kenneth Street, Duncan, B.C.
Chief’s Pole, Killer Whale figure, Government Street at Kenneth Street, Duncan, B.C.

Carver Francis Horne Sr. explains the meaning of the Killer Whale figure as:

“….The Killer Whale  represents the Quw’utsun’ story of the Killer Whale that was in Cowichan Bay eating all the Salmon. The pole story shows how the  Quw’utsun’ people were able to restore peace back to the people, and the the people and the Killer Whale can live together in peace….”

Chief's Pole, Killer Whale figure, Government Street at Kenneth Street, Duncan, B.C.
Chief’s Pole, Killer Whale figure, Government Street at Kenneth Street, Duncan, B.C.
Chief's Pole, Chief figure with Copper, Government Street at Kenneth Street, Duncan, B.C.
Chief’s Pole, Chief figure with Copper, Government Street at Kenneth Street, Duncan, B.C.

Carver Francis Horne Sr. explains the meaning of the Chief figure holding the Copper as:

“…..The Killer Whale (middle figure) represents the Quw’utsun’ story of the Killer Whale that was in Cowichan Bay eating all the Salmon. The pole story shows how the  Quw’utsun’ people were able to restore peace back to the people, and the the people and the Killer Whale can live together in peace…. The Copper held by the Chief is to show wealth in the human spirit, not material wealth…”

 

Would you like to leave a comment or question about anything on this page?